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Detroit Sports Commission announces the 2018 PKC match-ups and, for the first time, Detroit CC is particiapting

BY: STATE CHAMPS! NETWORK Feb 15, 4:48pm

Detroit - The Detroit Sports Commission today announced the matchups for the 2018 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic. The Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic is the premier, longest-running season-opening high school football showcase in Michigan and will celebrate its 14-year anniversary with seven games Aug. 23-25 at Tom Adams Field on the campus of Wayne State University.

“The Detroit Sports Commission is pleased to announce a great line-up of high school football for the 2018 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic," said Kris Smith, DSC director. "We are proud to welcome a diverse collection of teams, bands, cheerleaders and fans from local high schools in Michigan and Illinois to this extremely popular event."

Detroit-based football equipment manufacturer and national retail brand Xenith returns as title sponsor of the Prep Kickoff Classic helping infuse resources and support to continue advancing the event to secure prestige and recognition.

The showcase has embraced a team and match-up selection process emphasizing inclusion since its inception in 2005, hosting more than 80 schools from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. In 2018, the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic will welcome four first-time participants in Center Line, Detroit Catholic Central, East St. Louis (IL) and Madison Heights Madison.

“For the second year in a row, we are proud to be the title sponsor for the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic," said Ryan Sullivan, Xenith CEO. “We’re excited for the opportunity to support the local football community in this great celebration of high school football and the partnership we are continuing to grow with the Detroit Sports Commission.”

The event will kick off at 4 p.m. on Aug. 23 with Oak Park of the Oakland Activities Association taking on Utica Eisenhower from the Macomb Area Conference followed by 2017 Division I semi-finalist Detroit C.C. against Walled Lake Western in a Catholic League-Lakes Valley Conference matchup at 7 p.m.

The next day features a repeat of an inaugural year Prep Kickoff Classic match-up from 2005. The Downriver League matchup of Allen Park against Trenton at 4 p.m. will start the day’s activities. In the nightcap, Davison will face Southfield A&T at 7 p.m. in a Prep Kickoff Classic rematch of last year’s three-overtime thriller won by Davison.

The final day of the Xenith PKC will begin on Aug. 25 at noon with Center Line taking on Madison followed by 2017 Division I semifinalist Detroit Cass Tech against the 2017 Division 4 semifinalist River Rouge at 3 p.m. The finale will feature 2017 Division II semifinalist Detroit King against the winningest high school football program in Illinois, East St. Louis at 6 p.m.

Ticket information will be announced at a later date. Go to detroitsports.org for more information on the matchups.